Start Date: June 9, 2023
Windwillow
From the Cradle: A Metroid Prequel
Our race's history is long and storied. We Chozo have not always been a learned race; rather, our origins are quite barbaric. In our early history the Chozo took up sword and spear in both defense and conquest, our black wings the harbingers of destruction for all who stood in our way. Over time we harnessed ever more powerful weaponry, though at a certain point our interests became more cultural than they had been. We shed our wings in favor of a scholar's cloak, and over time our civilization advanced further as a peaceful one rather than that of a conqueror's. We stretched out our hands and by their ministrations we seeded many worlds. Many civilizations we watched rise and fall, and with the new Galactic Federation burgeoning there seems to be hope for a lasting peace amongst the warring races. The humans have stretched out from their world of origin and encountered many races with which they've established relations, and while their motives may be clean their souls are much more tainted with blood lust. Interacting with them and sharing our own secrets may prove more dangerous than beneficial...
The world upon which our clans have settled we call Ili Agar Nalima, referred to as SR388 by the Galactic Federation. We Thoha have made this our home, though the martial-minded Mawkin tribe hails from another world. In our travels we've created many wonderful advancements in technology, with which we used to hollow out the planet and establish a new civilization. Our interaction with the warlike Mawkin is one of convenience; we depend upon them for our survival, though they are aware that we do not approve of their lust for battle and that they are incapable of surviving in space without Thoha technology. Raven Beak, the leader of the Mawkin tribe, is another being altogether. He lusts for power, worships at the altar of Mars and dreams of stretching out his hand and taking hold of all the galaxy. Even we Thoha fear him greatly. Regardless his power has kept our people safe for generations, and even he had the courtesy of donating of his blood to the Child. She's now departed for Earth with our Power Suit, and we wish her well in her travels. Hers is a pure soul that we feel safe entrusting our secrets to...
Ili Agar Nalima is still very much an unknown world to us. Although we've created our own cities and laboratories throughout the inner crust, there are still many areas we have yet to tread upon. Our scientists have developed unique observational technologies with which we plan to explore the planet with. It is my own hope that they differ from our other creation's mania...
I am Quiet Robe, researcher of the Thoha tribe. These will be my notes as we explore Ili Agar Nalima, a diary of sorts. There is no way to know what lays beneath the crust, be it wondrous treasures or nightmares that would chill the heart of a deity...
Chapter One: Research
Scene One
Ili Agar Nalima, a.k.a. SR388. This is one of the Chozo outposts that dot the galaxy, run jointly by the martial tribe, the Mawkin, and the scientific tribe, the Thoha. For several years they've established a settlement there, and have drilled down through the crust, Croatoa, to three different sectors of the planet. Mathura, their settlement; Elmina, the hydro electric power plant that supplies power to other sectors; Trask, a robot operated mining facility; and the newest layer, the crystal forest that they've named Restinga. What lays next is Sector Five, Ourea, a lush jungle area that we have yet to explore. However, Ourea is an unknown layer of the planet, and must be explored via remotely operated scouts. For this task, a partially-organic model has been selected, which appears as a large cranium encased in crystal, its brain exposed and connected via electric signals that allow it to think and act independently of the operator. Although they are derived from the old Mother Brain system, these scouts have been specifically designed to lack personality in the hopes that Mother Brain's malfunction will not be repeated.
Inside the Mathura Research Center, located in the Science District of Mathura, the laboratory has been established in Sector M and is prepared to be operated by its head technician. Even amongst the Thoha, as leader and head researcher Quiet Robe wore a more elaborate costume than his brethren. His long robes were a deep purple, two golden shoulder pads latched to his firm yet lanky frame. As he input the commands to begin the experiment, he wore a smile on his beak; discovering new worlds had always been his greatest thrill. To a human, it would look like quite the monstrosity. Although vaguely humanoid, the being stood well over ten feet tall and wore long, flowing robes inscribed with an alien script all across them as if tattooed. It had the beak of an avian creature, but the long limbs of a humanoid subject; lean, feathered arms and legs, ending in sharpened talons that were, nevertheless, capable of performing even the most minute of actions as well as any human could.
All systems are operational for the research expedition to Sector Five, Ourea. We've only recently drilled into this layer of Ili Agar Nalima, so this is the first chance we have to explore the native flora and fauna of the planet. Scouts S-002 and S-003, our latest models based on the Mother Brain prototype, have already been deployed into Sector Five. I can't believe that I'm privy to the first steps into a brave, mysterious new world... What treasures are there for us to discover? What developments will we make? Or...
To Quiet Robe's displeasure, the gate into Sector M opened and he turned to find the last person he'd wanted to see there. He wore the armor of the highest of the elite, sleek silvery steel latched onto his toned body that armored him into a warrior's dream. On his right arm one of the Chozo's most prized weapons was installed: an arm cannon capable of charging and releasing incredible amounts of energy, something that only the most prized warriors of the Chozo were allowed to wear. His robes, long and flowing, bore the script that idealized his will: "Hadar sen Olmen." In lesser tongues it could be translated more simply as, "Power is Everything."
"Give me an update, now..." ordered Raven Beak brusquely.
The Mawkin were a throwback to the times of old, when the Chozo wielded mighty weapons and commanded the most powerful armies the galaxy had yet seen. Although they too resembled the Thoha, Mawkins clad themselves in sharpened armor of gold and silver, and wielded long lances that ended in electromagnetic devices capable of shocking anything that they came in contact with. At one point they'd had wings like the original Chozo, though most had molted them to become a more civilized species.
"You are not welcome here, Mawkin!" growled Bright Owl. He too was dressed in robes similar to Quiet Robe, though colored differently and lacking the shoulder pads of his superior. Bright Owl was Quiet Robe's second-in-command on the Ourea expedition, and was a stickler for protocol. And, protocol was that research was solely the responsibility of the Thoha.
When Raven Beak's arm cannon was hoisted and positioned straight at Bright Owl's face, he immediately recoiled and threw up his arms in self defense. "I will repeat myself one more time: give me a report," Raven Beak hissed.
Although disgusted at his behavior, Quiet Robe was well aware that Raven Beak's martial superiority made his authority beyond question above his own. With a sigh, he swiveled around in his chair and bowed his head to the Mawkin.
"Today's expedition takes place in Sector Five, Ourea, of Ili Agar Nalima. We've already dispatched two scouts into the nearest open area in preparation of beginning our research. Our present priority is to seek out the native flora and fauna to record and analyze them for our research," said Quiet Robe.
"And what will you find?" said Raven Beak softly. Receiving Quiet Robe's silence, he sighed and turned to leave. "An idle thought..." he growled. "Proceed." As he opened the door and left the room, and Bright Owl began to breathe again, Quiet Robe narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists.
Still searching for a weapon... He never learns. Ili Agar Nalima is a peaceful world. We will find nothing dangerous that he can use to threaten the galaxy. This is my hypothesis... and my prayer.
Scene Two
With the scouts deployed, the next few days consisted of the typical research procedures: documenting the characteristics of the native flora and fauna, then analyzing their biological processes with the intent to learn more about them. As he examined the data that they'd already collected, along with the information relayed in real time, Quiet Robe barely noticed the door behind him open. It was Jade Crane, another aide to Quiet Robe.
"Don't you find it strange?" asked Jade Crane nervously. "We've been researching Ourea for over a week and have yet to find a single living organism... Only plants, fruits, and minerals. There has to be something wrong."
"Strange, yes. But our research has only begun," said Quiet Robe, brushing off his colleague's concerns. His talons danced across his console, carefully noting every new piece of data, but when a small red symbol flashed out of the corner of his eye he slowly stopped reading. One of the scouts, S-003, had gone silent. Alarmed, he input the commands for S-002 to check its sister's last known location.
S-002 skittered through the crystalline forest that was Ourea, and it took only a few minutes to locate S-003. The second scout had frozen in place, strangely inert. Believing that its sister unit had malfunctioned, S-002 steadily approached it. The mechanical units of S-002 engaged, examining the heat signature and electric function of S-003. While there seemed to be nothing wrong, it was when S-003 swiveled around and bit through its head that S-002 immediately ceased to function.
"What... on earth... just happened?" croaked Quiet Robe.
"There was a malfunction," shrugged Jade Crane. "Nothing to be worried about... We can collect S-002 later and examine it for any abnormalities." Quiet Robe, however, was unconvinced.
The offensive systems on the S models have been disabled. It shouldn't have been able to attack its sister unit. No... Something else is responsible.
After a few moments of deep thought, Quiet Robe pressed a button on the console. "Bright Owl, please report to the research room," said Quiet Robe. Another brief period passed before he pressed it again. "Prepare to deploy A series scouts to recover the S series units."
"The A series? Why on earth would you deploy the outdated models?" asked Jade Crane. "The A series is solely mechanical, and lacks the capabilities of the S series models. It doesn't make any sense to deploy those."
Quiet Robe shook his head. "No... I suspect that it was the organic components that malfunctioned," he murmured. "Consider it a hunch. I believe sending out identical models to retrieve the ones that have been destroyed is illogical."
The obsolete A series models, A-013 and A-014, were released into Ourea's environment and quickly hurried to the location of the S Series' destruction. To the shock of the researchers, the two S series models had disappeared entirely. Astounded, Quiet Robe input the commands to locate the bio signatures of the S series units. When he did so the system lit up, displaying dozens of signatures that quickly turned to hundreds and then blossomed to thousands of pings from all across Ourea. The unexplored areas weren't accessible on the controls.
"What on earth just happened? You only engaged the systems to locate S-002 and S-003..." muttered Jade Crane. "That makes no sense."
Again silent, Quiet Robe softly sunk back in his seat and laid his hand to his face. "Prepare an armed expedition... One that isn't an army, but enough to defend itself..." he said softly. "We must prepare to dispatch any obstructions we might encounter."
"Obstructions? The planet hasn't demonstrated anything dangerous so far," said Jade Crane nervously. "And any expedition you can order will require the involvement of the Mawkin and their autonomous soldiers..."
"Find a Mawkin officer that isn't Raven Beak," sighed Quiet Robe.
"Why?" asked Jade Crane.
Quiet Robe slowly lifted himself from his seat, and Jade Crane could see that he'd begun to tremble. "Searching for anything dangerous would alert Raven Beak," said Quiet Robe, soft enough that Jade Crane almost couldn't hear him speak. "Finding something dangerous and involving Raven Beak can only lead to the worst possible scenario..."
Scene Three
Is my thesis correct? I pray it is not. If the organic components are acting up, and they've expanded to so many new signatures, the only plausible scenario is that the S series have been consumed and distributed throughout Sector Five. Anything capable of doing that...
To his alarm, Quiet Robe's quarters opened to reveal an armored Mawkin soldier, something that seemed to confirm his worst suspicions. "Sir, we've encountered multiple hostile organisms, including the original scout!" said the trembling Mawkin. "All of our autonomous soldiers have been surrounded!"
It was the worst case scenario after all. Quiet Robe, quaking, laid his face in his hand and said a prayer to whatever God was listening. "Prepare to retreat..." he moaned.
"Countermand that order, soldier."
Quiet Robe's eyes snapped open when he saw Raven Beak standing in the doorway to his chambers. The Mawkin's eye seemed to gleam with a disconcerting light as he turned to Quiet Robe. "The soldiers will attack and destroy the enemy," said Raven Beak darkly, "and harvest the remains for data."
"Causing damage to the non-hostile organisms would endanger our research!" choked Quiet Robe. Seeing Raven Beak's disinterest, Quiet Robe could only quake with terror as he sunk down into his seat and turned on his own view screen to watch the events unfold. Raven Beak, meanwhile, departed for his own quarters.
The autonomous, artificial soldiers lifted their weapons and slaughtered the lot of the attackers, as Quiet Robe only watched in horror. Watching the innocent animals be slaughtered was almost too much to bear. What he noticed out of the corner of his eye, however, was a strange ectoplasm seep from one of the corpses. It was a sort of amorphous blob, with three revolving nuclei in the center of his body.
"What on earth...?!" gasped Quiet Robe.
From each of the dead bodies of the fallen fauna, several of the amorphous blobs dripped from their corpses and began to float in the air. Confused, Quiet Robe watched as the parasites attempted to attack the soldiers and were sliced to ribbons. However, the ectoplasm reformed itself, creating a sort of shell around itself with its core in its center and a large eye on the front of it. As he watched each of the parasites emerge from the corpses, all of whom assumed the same shape as the first, Quiet Robe was unable to keep himself from shrieking in terror. Quiet Robe input a command, causing the soldiers to blast the parasites to bits. To his horror, however, they reformed into the shelled organisms once more.
"Retreat! Now!" cried Quiet Robe.
Quiet Robe watched as one of the shelled parasites opened its 'mouth' wide, revealing a vicious set of fangs. The parasite ripped through the body of a soldier, soon accompanied by the remainder slaughtering the robot soldiers. As they were ripped to pieces and the video feed cut, Quiet Robe's trembling reached a critical point and his fingers clenched as tight as they could clutch. Muttering a prayer he sank into his seat, appalled by the destruction. When another video feed, one showing Raven Beak appeared, he quickly disconnected it and put his face in his hands, filled with horror.
The bio signatures of the scouts disappeared, then multiplied... those things emerged... and everything went to ruin. Dear God. This is exactly what Raven Beak was searching for! For that reason, and that reason alone, they must be destroyed.